I always experience worse jetlag going to Asia versus Europe, so I always try to fight it by planning full days exploring my destination once I arrive. It has always helped me both fight the afternoon sleepies, and get quickly accustomed to wherever I am.

Our first day after arriving in Tokyo, we spent the morning walking around the Ginza shopping area. The first time I’ve ever seen not one, but two cats perched up on a sign there.

There’s a ton of luxury shopping in Ginza, but my favorite thing to do in the area has always been to hit up the basement floor of the department floors, to gape at all of the food. And ingest it, of course. I always get at least a sandwich or two – and like to do one sweet, one savory.

I always like to stare at all of the expensive fruits, but never have purchased them. I’ve always been fully satisfied with our hotel fruit plates, which already feature delicious seasonal items.

The sweets section of Japanese department stores has also always been one of my favorite stops. They have anything and everything wonderful dessert related in Japan, from all over the world. More Pierre Herme than in France. In fact, when we were in Europe in January, I didn’t really feel too much pressure to load up on the desserts, since I knew I could get anything I missed in Japan! That’s how amazing the selection is. Continue Reading